A NEW case of bird flu has been confirmed in the region.

People in the Stockton area are urged to be extra vigilant after the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed a case of Avian Influenza H5N1 in a wild bird found dead in the borough.

The discovery follows a number of cases across the country, including at three premises near Thirsk and two in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire.

Control zones are in place at those premises and infected birds will be humanely culled.

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Sarah Bowman-Abouna, Director of Public Health for Stockton-on-Tees, said: “UK health agencies have made it clear that the risk to human health is very low and UK food standards agencies advise that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers.

“Nonetheless, the confirmation of a case in our Borough is something we are concerned about and we are appealing to people to be vigilant and take steps to help limit further spread.”

Anyone who finds dead wild waterfowl or other wild birds is asked not to touch or move them but report it to Stockton Borough Council's Animal Health Service on 01642-524789, if it is on public land, or Defra on 03459-335577, if it is on private land.

Bird keepers must follow strict biosecurity measures put in place under the nationwide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, from 00.01am on Monday which includes keeping birds indoors.

You can find details at gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

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